meirs Aug 5, 2011:

@Fiona As I mentioned earlier, I prefer to reach the bottom line first, then delve on the why. In marketing writing, one first tells the audience what they get, then how, why, etc. While your cause -> effect order is technically correct, it is IMHO not how people want to hear it. A question of taste and approach.

Jenni Lukac (X) Aug 5, 2011:

Thanks, Fiona. I'm pulling my suggestion as it doesn't hold up under your explanation. Speaking of telescopes, a reminder to everyone about a great summer show (although I'm told that this year a full moon will lessen the possibility of seeing a lot of stars): August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower's peak usually occurs on August 13 & 14, but you may be able to see some meteors any time from July 23 - August 22. The radiant point for this shower will be in the constellation Perseus. The full moon will definitely be a problem this year, hiding the fainter meteors with its glare. But with up to 60 meteors per hour possible, it could still be a great show. Find a location far from city lights and look to the northeast after midnight. http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy-calendar-2011.html

Fiona Kirton Aug 5, 2011:

Cause and effect Putting my scientist hat on, for the sake of clarity I think it's important to retain the correct order of cause and effect. Having a bigger lens allows a telescope to detect fainter light, which in turn allows it to see more distant objects. To change the order so that you jump straight from having a bigger lens to seeing more distant objects is an unnecessary complication. Also, to say that the bigger lens allows the telescope to see fainter light *and* to see further, while true, fails to communicate the cause-and-effect relationship between the former and the latter. I think the suggestions made by philgoddard and DLyons are spot on (I agreed with philgoddard because I prefer the use of ‘fainter’ over ‘weaker’, but that’s just a personal opinion). Anyway, that’s my tuppence worth.

anademahomar Aug 5, 2011:

@ meirs

I agree with you, you should post it as an answer.

meirs Aug 4, 2011:

I would rephrase putting the end result before the reason: the bigger its aperture, the farther one can see, as it is able to capture fainter light.